In sensorineural hearing loss, how does air conduction compare to bone conduction?

In sensorineural hearing loss, air conduction is typically less than bone conduction. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or to the auditory nerve pathways, affecting the ability to transmit sound signals effectively. In this condition, the usual mechanism by which sound travels through air (air conduction) is impaired, while the transmission of sound through bone (bone conduction) can be somewhat preserved, leading to the characteristic finding that air conduction thresholds are poorer than bone conduction thresholds.

Assessing air conduction and bone conduction through hearing tests, specifically the Rinne test, helps confirm the presence and type of hearing loss. In sensorineural hearing loss, the air conduction is diminished relative to bone conduction, as bone conduction helps bypass some of the problems with sound transmission that affect air conduction. Hence, the correct understanding of this relationship is crucial for diagnosing and treating hearing impairments effectively.